117 MHz – Frequency Band & Applications

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Frequency
117 MHz
🧭

Range
108–118 MHz
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Band Group
VHF (30–300 MHz)

🌐 Summary

The 117 MHz allocation is part of the VHF (30–300 MHz) spectrum. This range is used worldwide for critical applications that keep our communications and infrastructure running smoothly. On this page we highlight how each band is applied in real systems, from regulatory assignments to everyday devices. Our goal is to make spectrum data clear and practical for engineers, regulators, and enthusiasts alike.

Key uses of this band include: 117 MHz: Air traffic comms; Two-way radios, legacy comms equipment.

Aeronautical radionavigation: VOR/DME allocations (β‰ˆ112–118 MHz).

 VHF Airband overview (Mobitex)
VHF Airband overview β€” Mobitex

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πŸ“‘ Band & Geometry key

Field Value
Wavelength (m) 2.564
Waveforms
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 64.1 cm
Band Family Aeronautical
Band Aeronautical radionavigation (VOR/ILS)
Primary Common Name Aeronautical radionavigation (VOR/ILS)
FSPL @ 1 km [dB] 73.803717234923
FSPL @ 10 km [dB] 93.803717234923
Fresnel Radius @ 1 km (m) 25.317741490663
Band Group VHF (30–300 MHz)
Tax Band Family VHF
Tax Band Class VHF Airband

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🧩 Applications & Usage

Field Value
Primary Application
Lower Neighbor Use Broadcasting (FM)
Upper Neighbor Use Aeronautical mobile (R) (civil airband)
Typical Services Devices Air traffic comms
Market Common Devices Two-way radios, legacy comms equipment
Refarming Use No
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Device Hotspots (MHz) 117
Device Category Specialized Industrial / Scientific Equipment
Typical Use Cases
Modulation (Device) Varies by device
Channel Width (Device) [kHz] Varies
Device Region Profiles Varies by country / allocation
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device) Varies by regulation
Allocation Relevance (Device) Medium
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Low–Moderate
Example Devices Or Skus Specialized Industrial / Scientific Equipment
Common Protocols VHF AM Voice (8.33 kHz); VDL Mode 2 (select freqs)

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πŸ—’οΈ Notes

Field Value
Receiver Selectivity Notes
Interference Notes Critical safety communications
Compatibility Risk Notes Aviation-critical service nearby/in-band; In sensitive band: Aeronautical VHF (Airband); Sensitive service in adjacent block
Notes Aeronautical radionavigation: VOR/DME allocations (β‰ˆ112–118 MHz).
Propagation Notes Strong coverage, good indoor penetration

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βš™οΈ Technical Rules

Field Value
Lower Band Frequency Limit 108
Upper Band Frequency Limit 118
EIRP Indoor Limits Prohibited (ILS/VOR)
EIRP Outdoor Limits Prohibited (ILS/VOR)
PSD Limit
Emission Mask Class Aeronautical NAV (protected)
Guardband Minimum [kHz] 833
Typical Bandwidths 25 kHz
Autocalculated Bandlimits No
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 25 kHz
Max EIRP [dBm] Varies by regulation
Power Source Or Duty Profile (Typical)
Channelization Plan
Channelization
Guard Band Requirement
OOB Emission Limit [dBm/MHz] Ultra‑strict
Spurious Emission Limit (dBm) Ultra‑low
RX Blocking Min [dBm] -15 (planning)
Duplexing Half-duplex
Duplexing Information Half-duplex: narrowband / push-to-talk
Uplink Pairing
Downlink Pairing
Paired Band Info
Max EIRP [dBm]
Channelization Block Size
3GPP Band Number
Example 3GPP Bands
LTE Uplink Bands
LTE Downlink Bands
NR Uplink Bands
NR Downlink Bands
Guard Bands
Protocol Or Standard

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🌎 Country Overrides

Field Value
Tax Service Category Other / Various
Tax License Type Safety-of-Life
Tax Regions Global / Varies
ITU Region 1 Aeronautical radionavigation
ITU Region 2 Aeronautical radionavigation
ITU Region 3 Aeronautical radionavigation
License Type Aeronautical service (licensed, safety-of-life protected)
Primary Application
Primary Services
Spurious Emission [dBm] Ultra‑low
Lower Neighbor Use Broadcasting (FM)
Upper Neighbor Use Aeronautical mobile (R) (civil airband)
Licensing Model Licensed (Aviation)
Typical Services Devices Air traffic comms
US FCC Alloc Aero Nav (VOR/ILS/LOC)–

CA IC Alloc Aero Nav (VOR/ILS/LOC)–

UK Ofcom Alloc Aeronautical Navigation–

US Ref 47 CFR Part 87 (Aviation)
Typical Bandwidths 25 kHz
Market Licensing Model Exclusive Licensed
Market Common Devices Two-way radios, legacy comms equipment
Fresnel Radius (1st, 1 km) [m] 25.317741490663
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 25 kHz
Auction Status Auctioned
Refarming Use No
Typical Site Spacing km – / –
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Traffic Load Share Coverage-heavy, low capacity share
Device Hotspots (MHz) 117
Device Category Specialized Industrial / Scientific Equipment
Typical Use Cases
Typical Center Frequencies [MHz]
Rule Part (Fcc Or Region)
Modulation (Device) Varies by device
Channel Width (Device) [kHz] Varies
Device Region Profiles Varies by country / allocation
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device) Varies by regulation
Allocation Relevance (Device) Medium
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Low–Moderate
Example Devices Or Skus Specialized Industrial / Scientific Equipment
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 64.1 cm
Power Source Or Duty Profile (Typical)

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πŸ›‘οΈ Regulatory & Neighbors

Field Value
Lower Band Frequency Limit 108
Upper Band Frequency Limit 118
Rx Blocking Min dBm -15 (planning)
Lower Neighbor Use Broadcasting (FM)
Upper Neighbor Use Aeronautical mobile (R) (civil airband)
Lower Neighbor Band Broadcasting (FM)
Lower Neighbor Range 89.000–107.000 MHz
Upper Neighbor Label Aeronautical mobile (R) (civil airband)
Upper Neighbor Range 119.000–136.000 MHz
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Low–Moderate
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor)
US FCC Alloc Aero Nav (VOR/ILS/LOC)Aero Nav (VOR/ILS/LOC)

CA IC Alloc Aero Nav (VOR/ILS/LOC)Aero Nav (VOR/ILS/LOC)

UK Ofcom Alloc Aeronautical NavigationAeronautical Navigation

Regulatory References US: 47 CFR Part 87 (Aviation); CA: ISED Aeronautical (per Radiocommunication Regs); UK: UK FAT (Aeronautical)
Global Harmonization Regional
Crossborder Coordination High
Sharing Mechanism Exclusive licensed
Auction Status Auctioned
Guard Or Pair

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πŸ“ˆ Market & Measurements

Field Value
Noise Floor -105 dBm (est.)
Interference Cases
Lower Neighbor Range 89.000–107.000 MHz
Upper Neighbor Range 119.000–136.000 MHz
Interference Notes Critical safety communications
Market Licensing Model Exclusive Licensed
Market Commercial Value High
Market Common Devices Two-way radios, legacy comms equipment
Market Deployment Density High
Noise Floor (Estimated) -105 dBm (est.)
Market Commercial Value (Estimated) High
Ecosystem Maturity Mature
Indoor Penetration Good
Known Interference No major interference issues noted
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor)
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 64.1 cm
Ecosystem Maturity Mature
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Chipset Availability Limited / TBD
Operator Deployments Limited operators
Technology Generations Deployed Multiple / TBD
Roaming Support
Traffic Load Share Coverage-heavy, low capacity share
Indoor Penetration Good
Known Interference No major interference issues noted
Occupancy Medium
Occupancy Bucket Pct 10–30%
Latency Profile
Common Channels Or Profiles
Security Features
Lbt Or Fhss Requirement
Popularity (Installed Base)
Coexistence Tips
Latency Class
Device Hotspots (Scoped && Tagged) –

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